I love this story.   As a former smokejumper, I really have a ton of respect for how these operations went down.  In today’s conflict, you don’t hear a lot about parachute operations, other than the para-cargo stuff in Afghanistan.  

     The lowest I ever jumped out was at between 1400 and 1600 ft AGL(Above Ground Level) with the Forest Service.  And usually para-cargo was dumped out at the same AGL these guys were jumping out at(around 400 ft).  Crazy.  

    And I imagine that if the altimeter was not precisely set and the pilot was not totally on his game, that these guys could get injured pretty easily.  It looks like the bush was some good jump country though, and these guys made it work.  -Head Jundi  

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Fire Force

The Rhodesian Light Infantry’s most characteristic deployment was the “fire force” reaction operation. This was an operational assault or response composed of, usually, a first wave of 32 soldiers carried to the scene by three helicopters and one DC-3 Dakota (called “Dak”), with a command/gun helicopter and a light attack-aircraft in support. The latter was a Cessna Skymaster, armed with two machine-guns and normally two 30 mm rocket pods and two small napalm-bombs (made in Rhodesia and called “Fran-tan”). The RLI became extremely adept at this type of military operation.

  Doug found this gem of a site and brought it to my attention.  This group not only does the art thing (please note Talking Tactics by Lance Nelson)  but also makes sniper suits and three dimensional camouflaging equipment.  The kit that caught my eye was this Sniper Screen.

    I thought that this was an excellent solution to a common problem on the battlefield.  Camouflaging the hole that you are looking through, wether through a parapet while on a rooftop, or while looking through a wall or fence.  Plus this thing is packable and cheap.   Very cool, and I am sure a can of spray paint could dress up this screen into whatever color you want.  And I am sure you could make a home made one if you didn’t want to buy this thing.  -Head Jundi

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The Sniper Screen in action.

This print is called “Talking Tactics”, by Lance Nelson

Welcome to the Military Illustrations web site.

All Illustrations by Lance Nelson

Military art depicting special forces from around the world.  

Prints for the military enthusiast, serious collector and fighting soldier.

free shipping on artwork IN THE CONTINENTAL US ONLY

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Website Here

     I have written about this before on Feral Jundi, and I always like going back to it.  This concept is definitely ‘building snowmobiles’ material, because it brings together so many interesting concepts and makes sense at so many levels.  I also think we will see these ‘Self-sufficiency in a Box’ concepts continue to expand as technologies and efficiencies of solar, wind and storage devices increase.  

     What gets me about Iraq and Afghanistan, is that they are solar and wind heavens. So systems that take advantage of that are great. And if a Skybuilt unit can generate 5 KW a day, that is pretty cool. (compared to 10 kw a day for a typical generator-just buy two Skybuilt units)

     But the most important concept out of all of this, is the loss of lives because of attacks on convoys. I have had several of my comrades killed in Iraq, in convoy operations. Every military veteran of the conflict there, can say the same thing. IED and EFPs have done their damage, and the targets were usually massive supply convoys that supplied the insurgent’s diet of targets. It just killed me to know that the camp I worked out of, had supply convoys feeding it once and sometimes twice a week. That guys were risking their lives to get fuel and water and food to our camps. We all thanked them for the service, but I often times thought “isn’t there another way?”

     Not to mention the fact that oil is one of the main reasons why we care so much about the middle east in the first place.

     So at these sites, I would have loved to have seen water processing plants and solar/wind farms. And to think, one key mortar impact could easily take out a generator and screw over the entire camp. A power farm with various sources of energy spread out throughout the camp makes way more tactical sense. And why not drill for water at a camp?

     The water issue really gets me, because water was responsible for more convoys than fuel for remote camps. We should be drilling for water, or processing water from local sources. And I even think recycled water should be looked at. And with the hot sun, solar distillers is totally possible in Iraq and Afghanistan. And during the winter, there is the snow in Afghanistan. The point being, convoys for fuel and water should be reduced to a once a month thing, and not a once or twice a week thing. It would save lives and it would make operational sense, both for contractors and for the military.

   The last thing I wanted to mention is that Afghanistan will be the war zone to watch in the coming months and years.  The enemy has switched gears and is focusing on that battlefield. Our relations with Iran and Russia are increasingly strained, and we are pouring more troops into the region that will need more logistical support.  Not to mention the NATO presence, which Russia will no-doubt take an interest in messing with by proxy.  So to sum it up, I am predicting a surge of attacks on supply trains coming in and out of Afghanistan, which could also mean a surge of private security to protect those convoys.  And with that said, we must increase our self-sufficiency out there in order to minimize the logistics tail.  -Head Jundi

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SkyBuilt Power MPS solar/battery system.

Link to Story

Commanders in Iraq Urgently Request Renewable Power Options

27-Jun-2007 06:19 EDT

On July 25, 2006 Al-Anbar commander and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Richard Zilmer submitted an MNF-W priority 1 request pointing to the hazards inherent in American supply lines, and noted that the up to many of the supply convoys on Iraq’s roads (up to 70%, by some studies) are carrying fuel. Much of that fuel isn’t even for vehicles – it’s for diesel generators used to generate power at US bases et. al. In response, the document requests alternative energy solutions to power US forward operating bases… and the US military looks like it will act on the request.

Req ID 91396BR

Industry Job Title Executive Protection Officer

Standard Job Code/Title N3844:Executive Protection Officer

Required skills Excellent verbal and , communication skills., Extensive knowledge of DC, metro area., Excellent driving record.

Desired skills 3 years experience in, executive protection., First Aid, AED/CPR certified., Possess Maryland & VA Special, Police Commission and Maryland & VA concealed weapons permit.

Specific Job Description Responsibilities as an Executive Protection Officer include driving company executives throughout the DC metropolitan area. Extensive knowledge of the DC metropolitan area is mandatory. The candidate must be able to solve problems in a discreet manner and have the highest ethical standards at all times. Executive Protection Officers are required to work extended hours

     For this post, I wanted to introduce a new guest author from across the pond.  Robin Barratt is his name and he is a close protection specialist, author and the founder of the British Bodyguard Association.  I look forward to his future articles about Close Protection and his latest reports about the pulse of the industry in his neck of the woods.  

     At the BBA, there are several areas to check out which I think are worth mentioning.  There is a forum with job postings, a magazine called ‘The Circuit’, a blog and a store.  At the store, you can check out some of Robin’s books. There is a subscription fee and/or membership fee for the BBA, but if you are in the business of collecting information about the industry and getting connected, then it should be will be well worth it.  Especially if you are able to make a connection or get a job through the BBA network.

    This article below is just a taste of the kind of stuff that Robin covers and if you like that, then his magazine ‘The Circuit’ would be the ticket.  Also, with the membership with the BBA, you get an online newsletter that is a lot like the Blackwater Tactical Newsletter.  Lots of up to date information and he posts the latest jobs. -Head Jundi  

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 How the Government has failed the British Close Protection Industry

Established in 2003, The Security Industry Authority (SIA) was set up “to raise standards of professionalism and skills within the private security industry and to promote and spread best practice”. It reports directly to the British Government’s Home Office, and its remit is “to help protect society by collaboratively developing and achieving high standards within the private security industry”. However, in my opinion, specifically within the Close Protection sector (as well as the door supervisor area) , it has done just the opposite. 

   In this two part video series, I wanted to put this up for anyone that is interested in hearing the latest arguments ‘for’ or ‘against’ the use of private security contractors throughout the world.  Jeremy Schahill is obviously the ‘against’ side of the argument, and David Isenberg is arguing ‘for’.  

    I have read a ton of stuff from David, and he has been very involved with writing about the industry.  With Jeremy, I have skimmed through his book about Blackwater and I have read a couple of his articles.  Both of these men are extremely knowledgeable about the industry, although I have caught several mistakes in Jeremy’s book and had it very subjective feel to it. Either way, it was interesting to hear both men give their side of the issue with Mr. Khan moderating. 

  Doug sent me this article that he found on Strategy Page.  The round sounds pretty brutal, and the range is pretty amazing as well.  That sucks that they are turning up in Afghanistan now.  I imagine that enough of these munitions launched at the same time, could be a pretty effective tactic to initiate an ambush.  And 1500 meter range makes it an interesting stand-off/indirect weapon as well. Bouncing death, made in China–damn.  -Head Jundi 

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Bouncing Death From China

August 20, 2008: Chinese made Airburst anti-personnel RPG rockets have been discovered in Afghanistan, after first being encountered in Iraq, where they were used by Iranian supported Shia rebels. The Chinese made RPG rocket is optimized for anti-personnel effect. To accomplish that, the shell bounces up about six feet, after first hitting the ground. Then the 5.7 pound warhead explodes, releasing hundreds of metal fragments. Casualties can be caused nearly fifty feet away. Because the warhead explodes in the air, and is full of metal fragments, it is more than three times as likely to kill or injure than the usual RPG warhead (which is designed to penetrate armor). The “Airburst Anti-Personnel” rocket also has a longer range (over 1,500 meters, more than twice that for the anti-armor rocket).

Iran buys these rockets from China, or maybe even makes its own copies. Iran denies supplying weapons to the Taliban or al Qaeda (which are violently opposed to the Shia brand of Islam practiced throughout Iran and southern Iraq.) But in the past, Iran has aided al Qaeda, and Iranian gunrunners will sell weapons to anyone who can pay. 

Strategy Page Link

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Type 69 40mm Airburst Anti-Personnel High-Explosive (HE) Grenade

This variant was developed specifically for anti-personnel purpose. This round works in a similar way to the bouncing anti-personnel fragmentation mines. On impact, the grenade bounces off the ground to a chest to 2m height then airbursts over the target area, scattering about 800 anti-personnel steel balls over a lethal radius of 15m. The airburst is much more effective than typical blast warheads especially toward entrenched troops.

Sino Defence Link

     This is the watch to have.  Supposedly these were the watches issued to the Sealous Scouts during the war in Rhodesia.  -Head Jundi 

    Well, I have been busy with trying to find the unique stories and angles out there that no one is covering, and I think I may have found one.  Who has heard of the Israeli companies Global CST or Defensive Shield?  I have never heard of them, but I tell you what, they are certainly making a splash now!

     For the Georgia deal, as you can see below, the work these security firms did there was significant.  The Syrians are using that work as propaganda to rub it in the face of Israel as ‘another loss’.  This to me is amazing, because it is a sign of how significant the roll of security companies can have on the world stage.  And for the record, I tend to agree with the Israeli side, that Georgia was no match for Russia, no matter who trained them.  It’s a numbers game.  

     And this idea of security companies getting involved with highly volatile and political situations, reminds me of the US private security company Steele Foundation and their contract to protect Aristide in Haiti several years ago.  This was a prime example of a security company getting thrown into the middle of a sticky situation, while just trying to do their job.   

     With that deal, the State Dept. was using Steele Foundation security teams to protect Aristide, and then later run him out of Haiti towards the end of his crumbling Presidency.  The funny thing about this, is that I guess Aristide had no idea that he was stepping down, according to him.  And that the State Dept. blocked his request for more security guys to reinforce his current detail.  Very interesting time period for the Steele Foundation guys and kudos to them for working through a complex deal like that.

     But back to these Israeli Security Firms. They were also involved with the training of Colombia’s forces and rumored to have influenced the planning for Operation Jacque(hostage rescue).  This was a huge deal and very complex.  It looks like Global CST was involved with that one too–and was once again thrust onto the world stage in a highly public rescue.  Even Ingrid Betencourte, one of the rescued hostages, commented that it was run like a ‘Israeli commando operation’.

    So I guess this is an indicator that we will probably see more of these companies in the future?  I know I am paying attention now.  Here is a link to their website. Interesting stuff.  -Head Jundi    

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Major General (res.) Israel Ziv, owner of Global CST. 

2 Israeli firms say they left Georgia before fighting

By Amos Harel

Two Israeli security companies, Defensive Shield and Global CST, announced yesterday that they had completed their projects in Georgia before fighting between that country and Russia broke out on Friday. The two are among several Israeli companies advising Georgia on security matters, training its army and occasionally supplying it with weapons.

Defensive Shield, owned by Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch, said all its employees, including its subcontractors, are no longer in Georgia. It said it completed the work it had been contracted to do, and that all its contracts with Georgia had been approved by Israel’s Defense Ministry. Security systems services company Global CST, managed by Maj. Gen. (res.) Israel Ziv, said it finished its work in Georgia at the end of July.

Russia expanded its bombing blitz against neighboring Georgia yesterday, targeting the country’s capital for the first time, while Georgian troops pulled out of the breakaway province of South Ossetia, as Russia demanded, the Associated Press reported.

Georgia launched a major offensive to regain control over South Ossetia overnight Friday, and some 1,500 people have reportedly been killed there since then, with the death toll rising. South Ossetia split from Georgia in the early 1990s and has since built up ties with Moscow.